With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard Puppy scammers have been getting their claws into the money of pet-buyers in Western Australia for years. The scammers also use kittens, birds and other popular animals as bait. Sadly the animal never arrives and Consumer Protection has received reports of monetary loss from many heartbroken would-be pet owners. Advertisements can be...

Two different industrial relations systems operate in WA, the state system and the national fair work system. Which system applies to a particular business or organisation and its employees depends on the type of business arrangement under which the employer operates. Wageline's newly revised Guide to who is in the WA state system provides an overview of which types of business are included in...

With Acting Commissioner for Consumer Protection David Hillyard A number of residential building companies have collapsed in WA in recent months prompting Consumer Protection to reissue advice to off-the-plan property buyers. One of the biggest risks for anyone purchasing a home and land package or a yet-to-be-built house, unit or apartment within a development, is the prospect of it not going...

On 23 January 2017, building company Builtoncorp Pty Ltd (reg. BC12114) voluntarily appointed Jeremy Nipps and Dino Travaglini of Cor Cordis as administrators of the company.

With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard Air-filled loungers were one of the must-have Christmas presents for 2016 and had been heavily promoted via social media and at pop-up stalls in shopping centres. Photos or videos indicate the products are able to be used in water BUT two near-misses in Australian home swimming pools during the festive period prompted drowning risk...

If you are involved in the building and construction industry in regional Western Australia, you shouldn’t miss this important learning opportunity. Morning session – 9.00am to 12.30pm The Building Code of Australia (BCA) information session is a half day program in the morning covering future initiatives of the BCA; product certification and technical interpretation to common queries. This...

With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard The economic downturn in WA is creating opportunities for heartless scammers to take money from people in desperate circumstances who are least able to afford it. Consumer Protection has received reports from a number of people recently who have fallen victim to personal loan scams and have given personal information which could lead to...

With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard The post-Christmas sales create quite a buzz for shoppers both online and in-store, but remember to shop smart to avoid disappointment with the sales. Retailers will be keen to get your business, so it’s important to look past the slick marketing and see the real value of deals on offer. Consumer protection agencies often hear from...

With Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner David Hillyard The average Australian will spend $599 on presents this Christmas, according to a Commonwealth Bank survey of consumers. That’s up from $475 in 2015. Gift loved ones not retailers Usually billions of dollars will go on gift cards across Australia, however, with up to a third of receivers expected not to use theirs, you may wish to...

The summer holidays have arrived and this means school is out for the year. Often during this time children are keen to earn some extra money by getting a job for the summer break. Employers, parents and young workers must be aware that there are restrictions on which types of businesses can employ children under the age of 15 and restrictions on working hours for children that apply during...

Information about amendments to the Plumbers Licensing and Plumbing Standards Regulations 2000 (Plumbing Regulations) that came into effect on 14 December 2016.

Currently, all new heated water installations are required to be temperature controlled at the outlets of sanitary plumbing fixtures used primarily for personal hygiene in accordance with the Plumbing Code of Australia and AS/ NZS 3500.4:2015, clause 1.9.2. The requirement above also applies when replacing a water heater with one of a different type, capacity or heat source; for example, when an...